Monthly Archives: March 2016

You may have noticed that we have laid turf down in the wide central area of the park and are creating new flowerbeds there.

At the end of the month Sam is taking delivery of a large lorry load of plants to go in here and would really appreciate your help in getting them bedded in! It would be wonderful if they could be planted in time for our event on April 9th so our visitors can enjoy them.

Sam would appreciate your help on any day you can manage week commencing April 4th. Could you let him know directly when you might be able to help please (email above) as I am on annual leave until 6th April. Any time you can manage however short will be warmly appreciated. All ages are welcome and all tools will be provided.

ANGRY residents living on the doorstep of a Crawley beauty spot are calling for extra security after vandals smashed car windows, broke into garages and drilled through petrol tanks in a spate of attacks.

People living in Milton Mount flats have become targets for vandalism and in particular for fuel thefts and they are calling for more CCTV to be installed to make the area safer.

Since December there has been a spate of attacks on vehicles parked outside the block in Worth Park, Pound Hill. The latest was sometime between Thursday and Friday last week when a hole was drilled in a vehicle’s petrol tank.

Shazney Woodjetts and her husband Daniel were left with a £600 bill to fix their Renault Megane when it was vandalised overnight on February 23.

Mrs Woodjetts said: “We were victims to this evil act when they drilled right through the tank of our car which we have only had for just under a year.

Repairs

“There was £30 to £40 petrol in the tank andwe had to pay £632 for repairs. It meant we were without a car for two weeks.

“That money was to pay for our water bills and TV licence which are both due in April and also for family days out with our little boy Some selfish lowlife has taken all that away”

The couple had parked their car in one of the bays at the top of the car park when it was targeted. There have been six known fuel thefts and one resident living in the block urged people to be vigilant, by creating a warning poster which was stuck up in the main entrance to the flats.

Other worrying incidents have included break-ins at the garage block in the car park, where a child’s bicycle was stolen, and vehicles’ windows have been smashed.

The driver’s side rear window of Terri-Ann Defeo’s car was smashed by a vandal at the end of last month.

Miss Defeo said: “It all seems for nothing because there wasn’t anything in the car to be taken. “We were parked in a place where we could see the car from our flat. “Unfortunately there is not really anywhere else to park especially having a young child,” she said.

CCTV

Residents have raised concerns to Crawley Borough Council. And, as the vast majority of attacks have occurred overnight, have asked for CCTV to be installed in the car park.

Locals hope that camera coverage will act as a deterrent. They have been told this is not financially viable and instead more lighting could be put in the area.

However residents don’t believe this will make a difference because one car had its petrol tank drilled when parked underneath a lamppost.

Kevan McCarthy Crawley borough councillor for Pound Hill North and also chair of the Pound Hill North Residents Association, said he is “concerned” by the attacks and he has vowed to investigate.

Cllr McCarthy said: “It is worrying to hear. This is an easily accessible location. “So whoever is doing this could be heading there from the Balcombe Road rather than necessarily being in the area themselves. I will enquire to the council about what can be done and also contact Sussex Police.”

Crawley Borough Council was contacted for a comment but had not responded by the time the Crawley News went to press.

The sun is shining and spring is in the air – and where better to enjoy this than Worth Park Lake with its trees, wildlife and plants all bursting with new life. And on April 9th we’ll be celebrating the spring season with a special day out for all the family – Wildlife Day at Worth Park Lake.

There will be a range of trails and activities for everyone to enjoy, including wildlife trails to follow, wildflower planting and bugs to discover.

Get creative and have a go at sketching, making a bird from willow and feathers or even helping to build a giant nest! All of the activities are free and there is no need to book. Delicious home-made refreshments will be available for a modest charge, courtesy of the 7th Crawley Beavers.

I’ve attached a poster for the day and look forward to seeing you there! Just drop me a line if you need any further information. Please note that the wildflower planting will be at 10.00am.